Rayleen Hargreaves

Personal & career background

1. What first sparked your interest in the mining industry?

I actually fell into the mining industry by accident. I picked geology as a fourth subject in my first year at uni in Melbourne, not really knowing what to expect, and ended up discovering a whole world I hadn’t been aware of. That subject opened my eyes to the scale and impact of the industry, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

2. Can you walk us through your career path and how you ended up at Datamine?

I started my career as a mine geologist and spent over 25 years working across a range of commodities and operations, from open-pit to underground. Over time, I became increasingly focused on reconciliation — the connection between what’s planned and what’s actually mined and processed. I saw firsthand how critical it is for decision-making, yet how often it was misunderstood or poorly supported by systems.

That interest led me to take on roles that blended geology, business analysis, and project management, eventually becoming the Product Owner of Reconcilor, a specialist reconciliation solution. In that role, I worked closely with sites to help improve transparency, trust in data, and alignment across the value chain.

In 2021, Reconcilor became part of the Datamine group, and I came across with the product. Since then, I’ve continued to lead its development and implementation as part of the Datamine team, working to raise the profile of reconciliation in the industry and help operations make better use of their data.

3. Was there a defining moment that confirmed mining was the right industry for you?

The defining moment for me, when I really found my niche in mining came a bit later, during an implementation of Reconcilor – as a client! I’ve always loved numbers and solving problems, and I started to see how reconciliation wasn’t just about ticking boxes at the end of the month. It was about making sense of the entire mining value chain — connecting the plan to the reality and using data to tell the story of what was really happening on site.

That realisation sparked something for me. I saw that good reconciliation could drive better decisions, build trust across teams, and help sites understand where value was gained or lost. It brought together geology, data, systems, and people, all the things I loved working with, and turned them into something powerful.

That’s what ultimately led me to focus on reconciliation full-time, and eventually into my role as Product Owner of Reconcilor.

Your role & expertise

4. What is your area of expertise, and how do you use it in your role at Datamine?

I’m a mining geologist with over 25 years of experience in the mining industry, currently working as the Product Owner for Reconcilor at Datamine. My expertise lies in bridging the gap between geology, data, and operational decision-making, with a strong focus on metal reconciliation across the mining value chain.

I specialise in helping operations improve transparency, accountability, and trust in their data through effective reconciliation processes. My background spans both open-pit and underground mining, and I’m passionate about using reconciliation not just as a reporting tool, but as a driver for performance improvement and cross-functional collaboration.

5. How would you explain your role to someone unfamiliar with the mining tech space?

I work in the mining industry as a Product Owner for a software tool called Reconcilor, which helps mining companies track how much metal, like gold or copper, they expect to get out of the ground, compared to how much they actually produce.

My background is in geology, but over the years I’ve focused more and more on the numbers and data side of mining. My role is all about helping different teams, from geologists to engineers to processing plant staff understand where things line up, where they don’t, and why. It’s kind of like being a detective, using data to tell the story of what’s really happening from the mine to the mill.

I also work closely with software developers to make sure our tool solves the right problems for the people on site. So my job sits right at the intersection of science, operations, and technology, making sure people have the right information to make good decisions and get the most value out of their mine.

6. What do you enjoy most about what you do?

What I enjoy most about what I do is connecting the dots, bringing together people, data, and processes to tell the real story of what’s happening in a mining operation. I love that moment when the numbers finally make sense, and we can pinpoint where value is gained or lost, not just to report it, but to actually do something about it.

I also really enjoy working across different teams. Reconciliation sits right in the middle of geology, engineering, and processing, so I get to collaborate with a wide range of people and help them trust the data they’re working with. Helping someone see how their role fits into the bigger picture, and how better reconciliation can improve outcomes across the board, that’s incredibly rewarding.

And of course, I love that I get to blend my technical background with problem-solving and product development. There’s always a new challenge, and no two sites are ever the same – which keeps things interesting!

Challenges, projects & learnings

7. What has been the most challenging project or client engagement you’ve worked on?

One of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on involved a large, multi-site gold operation where each site had different systems, processes, and definitions for key reconciliation metrics. They wanted to implement a unified reconciliation solution across the business, but there was very little alignment on what “reconciliation” even meant between teams.

The biggest challenge wasn’t the technical side, it was bringing people together to agree on common definitions, workflows, and expectations. It required a lot of listening, negotiation, and trust-building. I had to act as an integrator between geology, processing, and corporate teams.

What made it rewarding in the end was seeing that alignment come together. Once we had shared understanding and a standardised approach, we could start focusing on insights and improvements, not just reporting. That experience really reinforced for me how much of reconciliation is about people, not just data or systems.

8. What’s a professional milestone or achievement you’re especially proud of?

Two professional milestones I’m especially proud of are being asked to join the committee for the AusIMM Mining Geology Conference and being a 2022 nominee for the Women in Digital Awards – Technical Leader of the Year.

Being part of the conference committee has given me the chance to help shape industry discussions around geology, data, and reconciliation, while also connecting with peers who are equally passionate about advancing the field.

The Women in Digital nomination was a personal highlight, it recognised the technical leadership I’ve brought to bridging geology and technology, and the impact of that work in a space where female representation is still growing.

9. What’s been your biggest learning curve while working in the mining industry?

One of the biggest learning curves for me has been realising that technical excellence alone isn’t enough, especially in a complex, multidisciplinary industry like mining. Early in my career, I focused heavily on getting the geology and the numbers right, but over time I learned that the real impact comes from how well you can communicate those insights and build alignment across teams.

Whether it’s geology, engineering, or processing, everyone comes at the problem from a different angle and success often depends on your ability to translate between those perspectives, build trust, and create shared understanding. That shift from being a technical expert to a cross-functional communicator and leader was a steep but rewarding curve and one that’s shaped how I approach reconciliation, product development, and team collaboration today.

Perspectives & reflections

10. How has the mining industry evolved since you started—and how have you adapted?

The mining industry has evolved significantly since I started, particularly in the way we use data and technology. When I began my career, reconciliation was often manual, siloed, and treated as a month-end reporting task. Now, there’s a growing recognition that reconciliation is a strategic tool, one that can drive real-time decisions, improve transparency, and connect planning with production.

Digital systems, integration, and automation have come a long way, but they’ve also introduced complexity. I’ve adapted by leaning into that change by working closely with developers and site teams to bridge the gap between technical users and software solutions.

Through my work with Reconcilor and now as part of Datamine, I’ve been able to help mining operations make that shift, from reactive reporting to proactive insight, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to be part of that transformation.

11. What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?

My biggest piece of advice is to stay curious and be open to opportunities you didn’t plan for. I never set out to work in mining or specialise in reconciliation, but by following what interested me and saying yes to roles that pushed me outside my comfort zone, I found a path that’s been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Also, don’t underestimate the importance of communication and collaboration. Technical skills are essential, but your ability to listen, ask questions, and work across teams will set you apart. Mining is a team sport, the more you understand how different parts of the value chain connect, the more impact you can have.

And finally, find mentors and peers you can learn from. The best lessons often come from the people around you, and I’ve been fortunate to have many generous colleagues over the years who were willing to share their knowledge. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, most people are happy to help, and those conversations can shape your career in unexpected and valuable ways.

12. What keeps you motivated and passionate about your work?

It’s the people — working with dedicated, curious professionals across different disciplines keeps me learning and energised every day. And being in a consulting role means no two days are the same. Every site, team, and challenge is different, which keeps things fresh and pushes me to keep growing.

Fun & forward-looking

13. If you weren’t in mining, what career could you see yourself in?

If I weren’t in mining, I think I’d be a travel consultant, honestly, I think I love booking holidays even more than taking them! There’s something deeply satisfying about planning the perfect itinerary, finding great deals, and tailoring the trip to someone’s interests. It taps into the same problem-solving and detail-oriented side of me that I use in my current rôle, just with more sunsets and hotel bookings.

14. What’s one myth about mining you’d love to bust?

One myth I’d love to bust is that mining is old-fashioned or behind the times. People outside the industry often imagine it’s all dirt, drills, and dump trucks, but in reality, mining is increasingly high-tech, data-driven, and innovative.

From real-time data analytics to advanced modelling and automation, there’s cutting-edge technology being used every day. And behind that tech are smart, forward-thinking people solving complex problems. It’s not just about extraction, it’s about optimisation, sustainability, and smart decision-making.

Mining isn’t stuck in the past, it’s evolving, and it’s a really exciting space to be part of.

15. What excites you most about the future of mining and technology?

What excites me most about the future of mining and technology is the growing potential to make smarter, faster, and more transparent decisions powered by data. We’re seeing a real shift toward integration, automation, and real-time insight across the value chain, and that opens up huge opportunities to improve performance and accountability.

I’m especially excited about the role reconciliation can play in this future. As systems become more connected, we can move beyond retrospective reporting and start using reconciliation as a proactive tool, helping teams course-correct sooner, reduce variability, and unlock hidden value.

And with that comes a stronger emphasis on collaboration. Technology is breaking down silos, and mining professionals are working more closely across disciplines than ever before. That cross-functional mindset, combined with the right tools, is what will drive real change in the industry.